Volkswagen
Presenting solutions for mobility, Volkswagen displayed a Cargo e-Bike, a three-wheel cargo pedelec for last mile transportation that can carry up to 210 kg (including the driver) with a cargo volume of one and a half cubic metre. The e-Bike is powered by a 250-watt mid-mounted motor with an automatic gearbox. It has a small turning circle and innovative tilt-compensating technology which always keeps the load platform horizontal. The ABT e-Caddy and the ABT e-Transporter are solutions that are aimed at urban transportation. They follow e-Crafter retrofit solutions that have been prepared for small vans and city delivery vehicles. The I.D. Buzz Cargo concept van leverages IoT, and has on board an ‘electrified’ shelving system that was developed for service installers and maintenance technicians to offer connectivity with a functional control unit for the user. The Crafter HyMotion concept van Volkswagen displayed is based on the e-Crafter. It is an electrically powered 3.5-tonne van , and powered by a fuel cell. Its 4.2-kg hydrogen tank (modular design) enables a total range of 350 km. Another version of the vehicle is also available, albeit with larger tanks for driving ranges of up to 500 km.
TRATON AG, formerly known as Volkswagen Truck & Bus AG, presented innovative drive and battery technologies for electric commercial vehicles, as well as a new modular configuration for virtually all platforms. The e-Delivery truck concept the company showcased has a range of up to 200 kms, and employs lithium-ion-nickel-manganese-cobalt cell (NMC) battery banks. Having a quick-charging mode which reaches 30 per cent capacity in 15 minutes and 100 per cent in three hours, the e-Delivery, thanks to the new powertrain, achieves an output of up to 260 kW with a maximum torque of 2150 Nm. Divided into three parts, a front module with the cabin and additional functions, a middle module with the batteries, and the rear module with the powertrain, the e-Delivery truck concept makes flexible assembly possible and provides more space for batteries. Engineered such that the various components and designs can be easily combined for other electric vehicles as well, the e-Delivery truck concept is equipped with pneumatic suspension and a smart payload reading system, which synchronizes the load and electricity consumption in the eco-drive mode. The braking system has three regeneration stages, and enables the capture of up to 30 per cent of power during braking.
The Volkswagen Caminhões e Ônibus showcased a Volksbus e-Flex concept with flexible architecture for electrification. The concept bus is engineered to work as a battery electric; as a hybrid electric; as a plug-in hybrid, and as a range extended electric. Offering the same performance, regardless of how the batteries are charged, the e-Flex concept has a generator driven by a Volkswagen 1.4 TSI Flex engine. The generator and engine set starts automatically by means of intelligent vehicle electronics as soon as the pre-programmed battery charging level is detected. The e-Flex technology reduces the need for charging infrastructure, which will accelerate the acceptance of electric vehicles.
Entering into a strategic partnership with TRATON AG, Hino displayed the Poncho EV, a small electric low-floor bus. Measuring seven-meter, the Poncho EV is equipped with a 30 kWh battery pack. With three examples in circulation (two in Tokyo and one in Ishikawa) as of now, the small electric lowfloor bus has covered close to 400,000 kms over the last six years.